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“Ontario workers are seeing COVID-19’s effect on the Ontario economy, their families, and their workplaces every day. They must be meaningfully consulted on any plan for economic recovery,” said OFL President Patty Coates. “The labour movement urges the Ford government to take off its pro-business, anti-worker blinders and boldly consider the robust economic recovery plan that we are presenting. For the good of our province, it’s time to deliver health and safety laws that put workers first, strong public services, decent work laws, and justice for all.”

(Toronto) – The Ford Conservative’s proposal of a two-year pilot project that would remove nine statutory holidays from retail workers and leave them with only three shows the government’s callous and harmful attitude toward retail workers and their families. Despite recent accounts that this proposal was never meant to be implemented, the government had public…

We each must take action in our unions and communities to implement the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

(Toronto) – Ontario unions are renewing their call for the Ford government to repeal Ontario’s wage control legislation (Bill 124), after a court ruling struck down a similar law in Manitoba. The Ontario challenge, brought by a coalition of unions against the Ford Government’s wage control legislation, received a significant boost yesterday as a result…

Not only must the government immediately fund, collect, and publicly release race-based data, this information must then be linked to a meaningful and deliberate plan of action. These plans must be informed and endorsed by communities that are directly impacted and outline concrete measures from the government to immediately address any inequities or gaps that are identified.

The Ontario Federation joins the call for the Ford government to provide new provincial funding so child care operators can take the steps necessary for safe reopening across Ontario, including needed supports for educators, staff, programs, and facilities. “Families and educators in this province are saying the government’s plan for reopening without providing critical funding,…

The Ford government’s sidelining of the ministry responsible for worker protections will cost lives, and changes within the ministry are required. The Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development (MLTSD) has a legal mandate to protect the lives of all workers. It is the last line of defence when workers cannot get support and resolution…

The Ontario Federation of Labour joins the Ontario NDP MPP Jill Andrew’s call for Premier Doug Ford and Attorney-General Douglas Downey to appeal the Ontario Court of Appeal decision making voluntary intoxication a legitimate defense in sexual assault cases.

Ontarians are fed up with the Ford government’s failure to support the working people of Ontario, and they will be telling him so on Wednesday, June 3 with the Ford Failed Us Province-wide Day of Action, says the Ontario Federation of Labour.

From taking action in their communities, to sending a letter to their MPP, to asking questions of the Premier in a People’s Question Period, the workers of Ontario will tell the PCs that they have failed Ontarians.

The Ford Conservative’s infectious disease emergency leave rules should increase worker protections, not remove access to severance and termination pay as workers struggle to navigate the pandemic, says the Ontario Federation of Labour.

The Ontario Federation of Labour is outraged and demands action, in solidarity with Black, Brown, Indigenous and all communities of colour, in the fight to end racism and white supremacy and joins the call for a full investigation into the death of Regis Korchinski-Paquet.  “Over and over again, we see the lethal effects of over-policing…

The Ontario Health Coalition sent an open letter to Premier Doug Ford signed by family councils, health professionals, social organizations, cultural organizations, seniors’ and retirees’ groups, health coalitions, legal clinics, and many others who collectively represent more than 1.5 million Ontarians. The OFL is one of the signatories to the letter. The letter is below. If…

The labour movement is devastated by the loss of Sister Megan Whitfield, who passed away suddenly on May 24. The OFL mourns with all who knew her.
Sister Whitfield was the first Black President of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers’ (CUPW) Toronto Local, the largest local of CUPW. She played a key role at the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL), where she was a core member of the Executive Board, Executive Committee and the Workers of Colour Committee. At the OFL convention, she co-chaired the convention resolutions committee.

Government’s ill-advised plan to allow employers to conduct COVID-19 testing puts public health at risk and must not proceed, says the Ontario Federation of Labour. “Ontario’s public health care system is staffed by well-trained, dedicated health care professionals who can do the job. The pandemic requires the government to strengthen the public health care system,…

The proposal in a memo from the Ministry of Children Community and Social Services that workers in congregate care settings use cloth masks instead of necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) violates the Occupational Health and Safety Act, says the Ontario Federation of Labour.

This list was last updated on May 1, 2020. Please note that this is a working document and will be updated frequently.  For more information on OFL’s advocacy for workers during the COVID-19 crisis click here. Below is a policy timeline on COVID-19 for reference and sharing. The OFL will continue to monitor policy changes…

In advance of the May 1 #FixLTCFord online day of action, the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL) and unions representing Ontario’s health and long-term care workers demand the Ontario government implement stronger controls in home care, long-term care, retirement and community care facilities. Labour calls on the government to end the growth of precarious work…

Equity-seeking communities must be central in the development of Ford government economic recovery plans. Ontario must commit to collaboration with labour to ensure the inclusion of equity-seeking groups, says the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL).

On the National Day of Mourning we remember workers killed on the job, or who have suffered occupational injury, illness or disease. This year, the Day of Mourning has a particular resonance as we remember the workers who have recently died of COVID-19, and in the line of duty protecting communities in Nova Scotia.  In…

During all three phases of reopening Ontario’s economy, the government’s Ontario Jobs and Recovery Committee must include the Official Opposition, and consult with workers and the unions that represent them, says the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL).  “Decisions related to economic recovery and a safe return to work in Ontario need to be made in…